Kings Hospital: Providing patient-centric Quality Healthcare through Specialized Services

In the vibrant landscape of Sri Lanka's healthcare sector, Kings Hospital emerges as a beacon of specialized medical care and patient-centric services. Founded on the principles of delivering personalized healthcare solutions, this institution has quickly established itself as a preferred choice for those seeking high-quality treatment at affordable prices. To gain deeper insights into what makes Kings Hospital stand out, we had the privilege of interviewing Mr. Badrajith Siriwardana, the CEO, who shared valuable perspectives on the hospital's journey, specialties, and future aspirations.

Q: Can you elaborate on Kings Hospital and its inception? 

A: Kings Hospital was founded with a clear vision: to provide personalized and specialized medical care. What sets us apart is our foundation in clinical expertise and a commitment to patient-centric healthcare. Originally started by medical practitioners, our partnership with Ceylinco Life has further strengthened our ability to deliver comprehensive healthcare services. Over the last five years, we've made significant strides in medical advancements, including pioneering procedures in the private sector such as liver resection and transplants. Kings Hospital has established Sri Lanka's first dedicated liver ICU in the private sector and the programs aims to reduce the need for patients to seek expensive treatments abroad.

Q: What are the key specialties and services offered at Kings Hospital? 

A: Our hospital takes pleasure in providing a variety of specialized treatments. We excel at kidney transplants, open-heart procedures, and a full range of general surgeries. In reality, we are one of the most active high-tech Urological Surgery, Gastroenterology, and Orthopaedic service providers in the country's health industry. Our hospital has one of the few Cardio-Pulmonary Exercise testing units in the country, as well as a full-fledged pulmonology unit and sleep lab that provide a full range of services under one roof. Notably, we have recently developed a cutting-edge liver transplant program, which is supplemented by Sri Lanka's first dedicated liver ICU in the private sector.

The introduction of specialized diagnostic tools, some of which we only have, marks a pivotal step forward in patient care. With an emphasis on specialized care, dedicated departments staffed by expert consultants ensure that individuals receive tailored treatment and comprehensive support. Moreover, the recent establishment of a dedicated team exclusively for liver patients underscores our commitment to holistic medical care. This initiative not only enhances diagnostic precision but also promises to elevate standards in treatment outcomes, offering hope and relief to patients facing complex medical challenges.

Q: How has Kings Hospital differentiated itself in terms of patient care? 

A: Our focus is not just on clinical outcomes but also on ensuring a positive patient experience. Whether it's minor surgeries through our efficient daycare unit or major procedures like liver transplants, our goal is to send every patient home happy, thereby fostering a strong reputation through word-of-mouth referrals. We are committed to maintaining such a service for the course of our long-term relationship. We also offer home care services for home care treatments, diagnostic procedures, and other areas to help with post-hospitalization care.

"Our hospital specializes in a range of critical surgeries including kidney transplants, bypass surgeries, liver resections, and more," Mr. Siriwardana explains. "We're distinguished by our focus on surgical care, performing over 600 surgeries monthly. Our commitment to personalized care is enhanced by our manageable size of 130 beds, allowing us to ensure every patient receives individual attention."

Q: Despite the presence of numerous options, why should patients choose Kings Hospital? 

A: There are two primary reasons patients opt for Kings Hospital. Firstly, our team comprises top-tier consultants who are leaders in their respective fields. Many of these specialists exclusively practice at our hospital, ensuring a continuity of care that patients value. We are aware that many patients who choose Kings Hospital do so because of the clean and quiet environment and the pleasing ambience and services. Secondly, we focus on delivering high-quality healthcare at affordable prices. This affordability factor, coupled with our commitment to personalized care, makes us a preferred choice among discerning patients.

Q: How has Kings Hospital grown since its inception?

A: Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturns, Kings Hospital has shown robust growth. In the past year, we recorded a 33% growth underscoring our capacity to meet rising healthcare demands. With over 600 surgeries conducted monthly, including complex procedures, we have room to expand further. Our strategic focus on enhancing surgical capabilities and expanding laboratory services reflect our commitment to continuous improvement and meeting the evolving needs of our patients.

"I would like to thank the Board of Directors for their encouragement and support in achieving our goals. They would not have been possible without their vision of offering the patient-centric quality service that we are committed to providing to our consumers," stated Mr. Siriwardena.

Q: What are your future plans for Kings Hospital? 

A: Looking ahead, we aim to maximize utilization of our existing resources while exploring avenues for expansion. This includes optimizing our 10 operating theaters to increase surgical throughput and expanding our laboratory network across the Western province. We've recently opened regional laboratories in areas like Borella and Homagama, with plans to establish more collection centers. Additionally, we are committed to enhancing our liver transplant program and further specializing in critical healthcare areas to maintain our leadership position in the industry.

"Additionally, we're exploring ways to support our community, such as offering discounts to government hospital waitlisted patients. Our goal is to maintain our niche market appeal while expanding regionally within Sri Lanka." Mr. Siriwardana further stated.

Q: What potential do you see for Kings Hospital in the realm of medical tourism? 

A: Medical tourism presents a significant growth opportunity for Kings Hospital. We already attract patients from neighboring countries like the Maldives and Seychelles, highlighting our appeal as a destination for international healthcare services. With qualified medical staff trained internationally and a conducive healthcare environment, we are well positioned to expand our reach in medical tourism, particularly from European markets seeking specialized treatments such as open-heart surgeries and advanced medical procedures. However, it is important to emphasize that the optimal way to promoting medical tourism should be a cohesive and collaborative effort, like those carried out by nations such as Singapore, Thailand, and India, rather than individual hospital efforts.

"With effective marketing, Sri Lanka could become a medical tourism hub, similar to India, Singapore and Thailand." Mr. Siriwardana stated in conclusion.

Kings Hospital exemplifies a commitment to excellence in healthcare, anchored by its core values of clinical expertise, affordability, and personalized patient care. As a relatively young institution, it has swiftly established itself as a leader in specialized medical treatments, setting benchmarks with innovations like the dedicated liver ICU and expanding surgical capabilities. Moving forward, Kings Hospital remains poised for continued growth, driven by its mission to provide world-class healthcare solutions that prioritize patient well-being and satisfaction. With a clear vision for the future and strategic initiatives in place, Kings Hospital is set to redefine healthcare standards in Sri Lanka and beyond, ensuring that every patient receives the highest quality of care in a supportive and compassionate environment.

NALEEF KITCHIL